donnelly



July 3, 192& 1,676,009

J. c. DONNELLY MACHINE FOR MAKING MATCH BOOKS Filed Dec. 17, 1926 e Sheets$heet 1 b J; C. DONNELLY MACHINE FOR MAKING HATCH BOOKS 4e meta-sheet 2 rvlll July 3 1928.

. J. c. DONNELLY MACHINE FOR MAKING MATCH BOOKS 6 Sheets-Sheet .3

Filed D80. 17., 1926 Jul 3, 1928. 1,676,009

J. C. DONNELLY CHINE FOR MAKING MATCH BOOKS ts-Skgeet 4 July 3. 1928.

J. c. DONNELLY CHINE FOR MAKING MATCH BOOKS 7 l c e D d e 1 1- F July 3,1928. 1,676,009

J. C. DONNELLY MACHINE FOR MAKING MATCH BOOKS Fil-e'd Dec 17, 1926 6 Sheets-Sheet. 6

Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH C. DONNELLY, F BARBEBTON, OHIO .ASSIGNOR TO THE DIAMOND MATCH COM- PANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MACHINE FOR MAKING MATCH BOOKS.

Application filed December 17, 1926. Serial No. 155,384.

This invention relates to machines for making match books, and particularly to mechanism whereby relatively long strips of matches are positioned in co-operative relation to cutting instrumentalities effective to sever the strips into cards of matches of proper size for match books preparatory to the association of the cards with match book covers. 7

The present invention is especially, though not exclusively, designed for use in connection with, or as an attachment for, the machine for making match books described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,042,472, dated October 29. 1912, to M. Pari don and T. A. Palmer, which machine includes an endless carrier; suitable means for placing matchbook covers thereon; a feed table for pairs of superposed match strips; strip positioning means to which the match strips are manually fed from the table, which means is operative to position the strips adjacent to and longitudinally of the carrier; cutter mechanism for transversely severing the margins of the thus positioned strips to produce ,match cards, and'means whereby the cards are entered in the carrier and associated with covers previously supplied thereto.

The object of my invention is to provide novel. mechanism whereby the match strips are automatically fed to the machine in a. rapid and efficient manner; and to this end the invention, generally stated, comprises means for successively transferring match strips or pairs of strips through a horizontal are to the strip positioning devices, and means for supplying the match strips or pairs of strips to the transfer means.

In the-preferred form of'my invention herein illustrated, the transfer means comprises an oscillatory element Whichin each reciprocation thereof engages two strips, or two pairs of associated strips, and places them in proper spaced-relation for engagement by the strip-positioning device, and the strip-sup 'ilying means comprises an elongated magazine'which is so constructed and located that it can be conveniently supplied with match strips by an attendant, and which magazine ensures a constant delivery of the strips in proper flatwise position to the transfer means. ,7 Q

The invention also comprises novel features of construction and combinations of parts which Will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a plan of a portion of a match book machine equipped with match strip feeding mechanism embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same, parts of the hopper beingbroken away to expose the match strips therein.

, Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the machine, as on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan of the feed table and adj uncts, the strip magazine bein omitted and the oscillatory strip transfer element being shown in the feeding position opposite to that shown-in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section, as on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Figs. 6 and 7 are sections through the strip magazine, as on the lines 66 and 77, respectively, of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a skeleton perspective View of the strip positioningjand card setting plungers, and adjuncts.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the card setting plunger.

Fig. 10 is a similar View, partly in section, of the feed-table, and associated parts, including the strip magazine. i

Fig. 11 is a perspective View of the oscillatory strip-transfer element, and connections therefor.

Fig. 12 is a section through one edge portion of the transfer element and the adjacent hinged Wing member thereof, which member is shown positioned beneath the strip-magazine.

Referring tothe drawings, 10 designates a suitable supporting frame, including a table 11 upon and along which is guided the 'up per run of an'endless carrier comprising a chain of links 12, whereof each is constructed to receive and support a match book cover, as 18, and a match card or cards, as 14. At a station of the machine cover blanks, each placed in the carrier and associated with a cover.

The chain is intermittently driven by sultable mechanism comprising, in the present instance, a gear wheel 16 in mesh with rack teeth 17 on the links. The stud shaft of the gear wheel 16 bears a pinion 18 in mesh with the gear face of a pin wheel 19 on a lower stud shaft 20, the pins of which wheel 19 co act with a suitable cam 21 on the main shaft 22 of the machine. r V

A strip positioning plunger 23, which is guided on a forward extension 24 of the table, is connected at its respective ends by means of links 25 with two arms 26 loosely mounted on a shaft 27 fixed in brackets dee pending from the table. One of the arms is connected by means of alink 28 with a rock arm29 which is loosely mounted on the drive shaft 22. On this arm is a roller 30 which engages a face cam 31 on a longitudinal shaft 32 beneath the table. This shaft 32 is driven from the shaft 22 through coacting gear wheels on the respective shafts. The plunger 23 is held yieldingly in its rearward position by means of a spring 33 which is secured to one of the arms 26 and to the table 11; and the contour of the cam is such that at the proper time the plunger 23 is retracted thereby. A cover plate 34, constituting a supplemental or feed table, overlies the path of the plunger 23, in spaced re lation to the carrier, so that when the plung-' er is in its rearward position match strips can be placed flatwise thereon and rearwardly of the table 34. This done, when the plunger 23 travels beneath such table and away from the match strips, the strips fall upon the main table 11, whereupon in the next succeeding active stroke of the plunger 23, the opposing strips are pushed toward the carrier and positioned on the table 11 with their margins adjacent to and longitudinally of the carrier and below the spacedapart vertically reciprocating cutters 35. of the cutting mechanism.

The cutters are constructed and operated to sever the margins of the match strips to produce match cards of proper length, which cards as they are out are pushed to and centrally of covers in the carrier by means of a supplemental bifurcated plunger 36 reciprooative transversely of the main table. 60

This card setting plunger 36 is connected to a slide-plate 37 which is mounted within the feed-table andis connected through a. link 38 with the upper arm of a lever 39 loosely mounted on the shaft 27. The lower arm of the; lever is connected by means of a link adjacent the carrier by the plunger 36 are advanced at. intervals longitudinally of the carrier and beneath the respective cutters preparatory to the cutting of succeeding cards from the strips, all as fully shown and described in Letters Patent No. 1,042,472 aforesaid.

According to my invention I provide strip-supplying means whereby match strips are arranged flatwise above the table 34 in a position longitudinally and medially of the path'of the strip positioning plunger 23, and I also provide oscillatory transfer mechanism operative to engage the strips thus arranged and deliver them in alternate succession to such positioning plunger.

In the machine herein illustrated two separate match strips in spaced endwise relation, or two similarly spaced pairs of superposed match strips, are simultaneously delivered by the plunger 36 to the paths in which the cutting of the strips is effected, and hence the transfer mechanism is constructed and operated to feed the plural strips or pairs of strips in proper relation to the plunger.

The strip supplying means preferably comprises trough-like magazine of novel construction, including a basal structure adapted to-locate superimposed match strips in proper position above the table 34. This structure is composed of two end sections suitably spaced from each other and supported somewhat above the top of the table 34; each section having parallel side walls 46, an outer end wall 47, and a proiocting flange 48. The flange 48 of one of the sections is bolted to a flange 49 on a curved guide rail 50 (hereinafter described) on the top of the table 34, and the flange 48 of the other section is bolted to a projection 51 from the housing of the cutter head.

Rising from the respective basal sections are two corresponding arcuate members 52 constituted by flanges on the inner sides of the curved side members 53 of frame structurcs 54 which are bolted to suitably-disposed brackets 55 on the table 11. The upper ends of these structures 54 are preferably connected by a cross-bar 54, and the outer edges of the side members 53 have secured thereto flange strips 56 which are con-- centric with and overhang the members 52, so as to afford curved guide channels for the passage of the match strips to the basal portion of the magazine. Supported on the side structures 54 is the inner end of a trough structure comprising two long guide rails 57 which are spaced apart correspondingly with the curved guide channels and in substantial parallelism with the upper run of the carrier so as to extend longitudinally of the machine. The outer ends of the rails are connected by a crossbar 58; These rails are preferably of angle material whereof the innerflangcs 59 constitute, in effect, a continuation of the respective arcuate members 52, so that match strips supported on their long edges on the flanges 59 and advanced therealong toward the curved channels will enter the channels and pass to the basal sections of the magazine, such strips being gradually turned from their edgewise position to a horizontal .or flat position as they progress down the curved channel, as illustrated.

In order to ensure the passage of the match strips along the magazine, the upper runs of two endless belts (30 are arranged to travel on the respective flanges the side rails and frame structures, which belts pass about pulleys 61 mounted on shafts (52 suitably supported at the respective ends of the magazine. The belts are tie); (l over pulleys 63 mounted 011 a shaft ti l which has its bearings in the side frames at and is provided with a pulley 65 which actuated by a suitable power driven bel 56. The feed belts 60 are maintained in operative frictional contact with the pulleys 63 by means of idlers 67 carried by arms 68 hung on a shaft supported by and between the frames 54 so that when the pulleys 63 are impelled by the driven shaft 64, the feed belts are concurrently driven to effect the feeding of the match strips along the magazine.

The match strips are sup ilied to and supported inthc magazine in pairs. with the heads of the matches of alternate pairs in reverseposition, that is, the heads of the matches of one pair point upward andthe heads of the next adjacent pair point downward, and so on in alternate succession, as illustrated in Fig. 2. This alternate disposition of the tapering or wedge-like strips not only enables their compact arrangenumt in the magazine, but it ensures the proper location of the heads of the succeeding lowermost pairs of strips in the basal portion of the magazine in order to permit their proper transference to the positioning plunger 23.

In order toprcsent the match strips in an orderly manner to the curved section of the magazine, so that they will be accurately positioned on the transfer i'nechanism hereinafter described, I provide simple and cient strip-evening means which effects the patting of the ends and tops of the progrossing match strips contained in the horizontal trough structure. 7

The preferred form of strip-evening means herein illustrated is of the following construction: 680 designates a cross-shaft having its hearings in brackets 681 depending from the rails 57 of the trough strueture, which shaft has fast thereon a sprocket wheel 682 that is continuously driven from a suitable source. Fast on the shaft are appropriate disk cams 683, 68 i which in their rotation effect through suitable connections the periodical vibration of evening devices that respectively act against the ends and tops of the match strips contained in the trough structure.

The top evener comprises two bars 685 which are mounted on and parallel with the side rails 57. The upper edges of the bars rise above the side rails and extend well along the trough, terminating at the curved portion of thelatter, as seen in Fig. 2. The opposite ends of the bars are pivoted, as at 686, to the respective rails, so as to have capacity for limited verticalvibration. The bars are also provided with suitablydisposed rolls 687 which overlie the respective dislr cams 683 and are operable thereby. to effect the vibration of the bars. Fastened to the free ends of the bars by means, for example, of angle pieces 088 is a plate 689 which extends transversely of the trough, and which plate is provided at its under side with a strip 690 of leather, or other suitable yielding substance, adapted during the vibration of the bars to come in contact with the heads and upper edges of the n'iatch strips, thus pressing the raised match strips, if any, uniformly down to the belts 60. (See Fig. 7 ,The height of the side rails of the trough above the belts 60 is a trifle in excess of the height of the match strips, so that the evening strip 690 in its downward i'novement strikes the tops of the rails, thus preventing the crushing of the match heads when the match strips are pressed to a uniform level. V

The cams 683 which actuate the bars 685 have slight clearance from the rolls 687 when the bars are down, thus permitting the yielding; evening strip 690 to rest upon the des of the trough.

The side cvener, which acts upon the ends of the match strips, comprises two horizontal bars 691 which are concurrently movable transversely of the trough in longitudinal slots 692 formed in the respective side rails 57 adjacent the curved section. These bars are pivotally supported by arms 693 fast on and from lower longitudinal. "rockshafts Gi l having their bearings in brackets 695 depending from the respective rails 57. The shafts 69% extend ad acent the v696 by screws 699. The cams 684 in their rotation actuate the respective fingers and their associated arm and lever connections in a manner to effectthe positive outward movement of the vibratory side barstitll, and at an interval in the rotation of the cams, they permit the springs to shift said connectionsin a manner to move the bars 691 yieldingly inward and against the opposing ends of the match strips contained in the trough, thereby effectually evening the ends of the strips without liability of crushing them. 7 Y

The strip transfer mechanism, in its preferred construct-ion, includes an oscillatory horizontally-disposed plate69 of substantially quadrantal formmounted above the table 34 and movable thereon through an arc of 90so as to pass beneath and constitute a bottom for the open basal structure of the magazine, the angularly disposed edges 70 of the plate being offset in relation to the axis of the plate so that when the plate, in

either stroke thereof, is swung to .its limit below and beyondthe ma azine the leading edge of the plate is located at and parallel with the rearward edge of the table 3% while the other edge of the plate is at and parallel with the adjacent side of the throat or space at the bottom of the magazine, as seen in Fig. 4. Any suitable means for actuating the plate 69 may be employed. In the present instance the plate is fast on a suitablydisposed vertical shaft 71 having its bearings in a bracket 72 depending from the forward extension 24: of the table 11, and also in the projection. 51 of the cutter housing. (See Fig. 3). Fast on the shaft 71 is a gear 78 with which meshes a horizontal rack 74 slidably mounted in a guide extension 75 of the bracket 7 2 and provided with a roll 76 in engagement with the peripheral groove of a cam 77 on the main shaft 22 of the machine. The contour of the cam groove is such that the rack is longitudinally reciprocated within limits in a manner to oscillate the gear 73 and its shaft 71 through an arc of 90, thereby correspondingly actuating the quadrantal transfer plate 69.

Suitably hinged to the plate 69, adjacent its respective edges 70 are outwardly extending wings 78 constituting shelves. The leading wing as it approaches the'delivery portion of the magazine is temporarily raised to an inclined position and is thus maintained until it passes under and somewhat beyond the bottom of the magazine. As it continues its travel toward the rear of the table the wing resumes its normal or horizontal position. 7 WVhen the inclined wing is passing directly beneath the magazine it receives and supports the lowermost pair of match strips in the magazine, the

heads of the matches of such strips being at thelower or pivotal end of the wing and in contact with the proximate edge 70 of the plate, as illustrated in Fig. 12. As the plate continues its travel toward the rear of the table 34 the then lowermost strips in the basal structure of the magazine rest on the upper surface of the moving plate, and the strips previously imposed on the leading wing are carried to and positioned above the plunger 23, such wing during its travel resuming its normal or horizontal position to facilitate the discharge of the match strips therefrom and upon the plunger 23 during the next return stroke of the transfer plate. When the leading wing reaches its limit of movement at the rear of the table EM the other or trailing wing is positioned beneath the magazine, and the then lowermost pair of match strips in the basal str .cture of the magazine are imposed on the latter wing, which latter wing is now in inclined position to accommodate the heads of the matches. In the next succeeding stroke of the transfer plate, the match strips imposed on such lat ter wing are carried beyond the rear of the table 34. and above the adjacent surface of the plunger 23, such wing in its travel be ing lowered in the same manner as described with respect to the other wing. Hence, vduring each reciprocation (two strokes) of the plate 69, two pairs of match strips are transferred from the magazine to the respective legs of the positioning plunger 23 preparatory to the delivery of the strips by the plunger to the respective paths in which the cutting is effected; one pair of strips being swung through an arc of 90 from one side of the magazine outlet and the other being swung through a similar are from the opposite side of the outlet. In this way two pairs of strips, heads forward, are accurately positioned upon the respective legs of the plunger 23. Fast on the table 341: is the segmental rail previously referred to, which rail is suitably aranged to afford a guide and guard member for the outer ends of the match strips as they are being swung from the respective sides of the magazine to the rear of the table 34:.

As a simple and efiicient means to accomplish the periodical vertical movement of the wings 78 during the oscillation of the plate 69, each of the wings is provided on its under side with a projection 79 which. when the wing is in horizontal position, rides on the top of the table 34. A horizontal segmental track 80 having beveled ends 8] is supported on the table 3 f beneath the dclivery portion of the magazine and in the path of the wing projections during the oscillation of the plate 69, and hence as the plate is swung toward and from the respective sides of the magazine the projections ride upon the track, and the wings are thereby properly actuated and positioned as previously described. A suitably-disposed stop lug 81' on the pivoted portion of each wing abuts against an adjacent shoulder on the plate and limits the downward movement of the wing to a horizontal plane when the wing is beyond the rear edge of the table 34.

To ensure the discharge of the ,match strips from the respective wings and upon the positioning plunger 23, during the initial retrograde movements of the transfer plate, suitable stripper and back stop devices for the strips are provided. Preferably these devices comprise two pairs of vertically movable dogs 82, 83 arranged to overhang the rear of the table 34. The outer dog 82 of each pair consists of an arm pivoted at 84 to a lug 85 on the adjacent inner end of the rail 50 and provided with an inclined nose portion 86 which rests by gravity upon the table and lies in the path of the outer end portions of the match strips as they approach and are being moved beyond the rear of the table 34. When the strips are thus being moved the nose of the dog rides lightly upon the tops of the strips, and as the strips escape the table such nose drops in front of the match heads and serves asan effective stripper and back stop for the outer end portions of the match strips.

The inner dog 83 of each pair comprises a movable arm which overhangs the path of the wing above the plunger 23 and is supported at its rear end by a block 87 pivoted to a lug 89 on the projection 51 from the cutter housing. The forward end of the arm is bent downward to form a hook 90 which overhangs the rear of the table, and the edge of the plate 69 is suitably notched, as at 91, to permit the movement of the hook to a position directly in front of the match heads when the strips are located above the positioning plunger 23 b the leading wing 78. Secured to the pivoted block is the rear end of a forwardly extending arm 92 which is provided at its free end with a toe 94 in. the path of a cam 95 on the.hub 96 of the plate 69, which cam is adapted to co-operate with the toe 94 to effect the timed oscillation of the associated block 87 and dog 83 during the travel of the transfer plate.

The cam 95 preferably comprises a vibratory segmental member pivoted at one end, as at 97, to the plate hub 96, and having an inclined or beveled free end, as at 98 which normally rests upon the neck of the plate. The cam is so located in relation to'the toe of the arm 92 that in each partial rotation of the cam the free end thereofrides under the toe and, in consequence, the arm 92 is raised and maintained in that position until the V pivoted end of the cam escapesthe toe,

leading wing of the plate 69 are advanced beneath the raised hook end of the dog and beyond the rear of the table, and hence the hook is permitted to position itself in front of the match heads. In the initial reverse movement of the plate 69 the toe of the arm 92 rides on the neck of the plate below the cam,-the free end of the latter passing over the toe and dropping in readiness for a succeeding operation upon the toe. The cams for actuating the respective dogs 83 are constructed and arranged to operate in timed relation to the succeeding transfer stroke of the plate 69 so that as the strips, (or paired strips) are alternately positioned at the rear of the table 34 and upon the respective legs of the plunger 23, the hooks of such dogs are caused to position themselves in front of the heads of the adjacent match strips.

From the foregoing it will be seen that an elongated magazine of large capacity for match strips is provided, and that during the operation of the machine it is merely necessary for the attendant to replenish the magazine from time to time as its contents are reduced by the action of the transferelement. The location of the magazine above the table 34 and its extension longitudinally of the machine facilitates the introduction of the strips in the receiving end of the magazine by the attendant, and it also permits their ready inspection by him during the operation of the machine. Moreover, the described magazine ensures the delivery of the match strips in proper fiatwise position for effective engagement by the transfer element in each succeeding stroke. This transfer element is simple in construction and efiicient in its operation, since its motion is one of oscillation, and since in each reciprocation it removes two strips, or two pairs of strips, from the magazine and places them in proper spaced relation for engagement by the strip-positioning plunger.

The operation of the mechanism hereinbefore described maybe summarized as follows: Assuming the trough-like magazine to be supplied at its receiving end with vertically-disposed match strips, whereof the heads of alternate pairs are in reverse relation, said strips are progressively advanced along the magazine and into the downwardly curved portion thereof by the travelling feed bolts 60, the strips as they approach this curved portion being orderly arranged by the actions of the co-operating evener devices against the heads and ends of the strips. In their progress 7 through the curved portion of the magazine the match strips are gradually inclined until they assume a horizontal position immediately above the path-t the oscillatory transfer plate 69 and its respective hinged wingsor shelves 71. 'In each stroke of this plate the leading Wing or shelf passes directly beneath the magazine and receives and supports the lowermost pairs of match strips, the wing at this stage being inclined to accommodate the heads of the matches. Thewing carries the match strips superposed thereon to the rear of the feed table 34 and positions them above the horizontally reciprocating plunger 23, said wing during-its rearward travel beingcansed to resume its horizontal posi tion. In such rearward travel the then lowermost opp'ositely pointing pair of match strips in the magazine rest upon the transfer plate 89, so that they arepoaitioned on the other or trailing Wing when it is brought beneath the magazine, which latter wing is now in inc-lined position. *In the next following stroke 0% the transfer plate, the latter win-g carries its load to the rear of the feed table 34 and above the plunger 23, the

wing being also lowered to horizontal position. Inthis way, during two consecutive strokes of the transfer plate one pair of match strips are carried from one side of the magazine outlet and another pair from the opposite side, and such pairs of match strips, heads forward, are positioned upon the respective legs oi the plunger 23. This done, the plunger 23 is retractech'thus permitting the match strips to fall upon the mainftable, 11, whereupon in the next forward stroke ot the plunger 23 the match strips are accurately positioned with their margins adjacent and longitudinally of the carrier 12 and in close relation to the 'path of the spaced-apart vertically reciprocating cutters 35 of the cutting mechanism. Such match strips are intermittently advanced longitudinally so as to :lie beneath the cutters to the endthat succeeding lengths suitable for m-atch-cards-will be severed from each pair of match strips} which cards as they are produced are entered in the carrier and associated with the covers previously supplied thereto, as fully set out in Patent No, 1,'O l2,4.72 aforesaid.

As'previously mentioned the curved rail on'the table 34 serves as a guide for the outer ends of the match strips -as they are beingtransterred t'rom t he magazin'e to the rear of the table 84, and the vertically-mow able dogs 82, 83 are periodically operated to ensure the discharge of the match strips from the respective wings of the transfer plate and upon the positioning plunger 23 during the initial retrograde movements of said plate. I Y

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular construction and organization herein disclosed, as the mechanism may be modified within the principle oft the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim- 1. In a match-book machine having match strip cutting means, means for positioning match strips adjacent the cutting path, an oscillatory transit'er element for moving match strips in fiatwise condition through a horizontal arc to the positioning means, means for supplying match strips successively to said element, and means for operating said element in timed relation to the operation of the said positioning means.

2. In a match-book machine having match strip cutting means, means for positioning match strips adjacent the cutting path, an oscillatory transfer element for moving match strips in tl-atwise condition through a horizontal are to the positioning means, a strip-containing magazine overhai'iging the path of, and effective to deliver match strips successively to said element, and means for operating said element in timed relation to the operation of the said positioning means In a match-book machine having match strip cutting means, means for positioning match strips adjacent the cutting path, a magazine for a pile of flatwise disposed match strips, an oscillatory element movable beneath the magazine and comprising a member adapted to sustain the pile and a member adapted to receive the lowermost strips of the pile and transfer them through ahorizontal arc to the positioning means, means for operating said element in timed relation to the operation of said positioning means, and means for preventing retrograde v movement of the match strips when they are located at the positioning means.

4. In a match-book machine having match strip cutting means, means for positioning match strips adjacent the cutting path. a magazine for 'a pile of fiatwise-disposcd match strips, an oscillatory member movable beneath the magazine and comprising a member adapted to sustain the pile and a ti'ltable member adapted to receive the lowermost strips of the pile and transfer them through a horizontal arc to the positioning means, means for temporarily tilting said latter member to accommodate the form of the match strips thereon, means for operating said element in timed relation to the operation of said positioning means, and means for preventing retrograde movement of the match strips when they are located at the positioning means.

5. In a match-book machine having match strip cutting means, a strip-positioning plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger to position match strips adjacent the cutting path, an oscillatory transfer element for-supporting match strips in fiat position and moving'them through a horizontal arc to a position at and transversely of the active end of the plunger, means for supplying match strips to said element, and means for operating said element in timed relation to the movements of the plunger.

-6. In a match-book machine having match strip cutting means, a strip-positioning plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger to position match strips adjacent the cutting path, an oscillatory transfer element for supporting match strips in flatwise condition and moving them through a horizontalarc to a position at and transversely of the active end of the plunger, a stripcontaining magazine structure overhanging the path of and operative to deliver match strips successively to said element, and means for operating said element in timed relation to the movements of the plunger.

7. In a match-book machine having match strip cutting means, a strip-positioning plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger-to position match strips adjacent the cutting path, an oscillatory transfer element having a member adapted to receive match strips flatwise and move them through a horizontal arc to a position at and trans versely of the active end oi? the plunger, means for supplying match strips to said member, means for operating said element in timed relation to the movements of the plunger, and means for preventing retrograde movement ol the match strips when they are positioned at the plunger.

8. In a match-book machine having match strip cutting means, a strip-positioning plunger, means for reciprocating said plunger to position match strips adjacent the cutting path, an oscillatory transfer element having a tiltable member adapted to receive match cards fiatwise and move them through a horizontal arc to a position at and transversely of the active end of the plunger, means for temporarily tilting saidmember, means for supplying match strips to said member when it is in tilted position, means for operating said transfer element in timed relation to the movements of the plunger, and means for preventing retrograde i'novement of the match strips when they are positioned at the plunger.

9. In a match-book machine having spaced-apart match strip cutters, means for positioning match strips adjacent the respective cutting paths, an oscillatory trans fer element for moving match strips to the positionin means and in spaced endwise relation to each other, and means for supplying match strips flatwise to said element and in a plane intersecting its path of travel, whereby in each reciprocation of the said member match strips are oppositely engaged thereby and bodily positioned at the respective locations for engagement by the positioning means.

- 10. In a match-book machine having spaced-apart match strip cutters, means for positioning match strips adjacent the respective cutting paths, an oscillatory transfer element for moving match strip-s to the positioning means and in spaced endwise relation to each other, a strip-containing maga- Zine overhanging the path of, and elfective to supply match strips flatwise to said element and in a plane intersecting its path of travel, whereby in every two strokes of the said element match strips are engaged thereby at the opposite sides of the magazine and bodily positioned at the respective locations for engagement by the positioning means.

11. In a match-book machine having spaced-apart match strip cutters, means for positioning match strips adjacent the respective cutting paths, an oscillatory transfer element for moving match strips to the positioning means and in spaced endwise relation to each other, a strip containing magazine comprising an elongated troughlike portion terminating in a delivery portion which overhangs the path of, and is etl'ective to supply match strips flatwise to said element and in a plane intersecting its path of travel, whereby in every two strokes of the said element match strips are engaged thereby at the opposite sides ofthe delivery portion oi? the magazine and bodily positioned at the respective locations for engagement by the positioning means.

12. In a match-book machine having spaced-apart match strip cutters, means for positioning match strips adjacent the respective cutting paths, an oscillatory trans fer element comprising a member adapted temporarily to sustain a pile of flatwise-disposed match strips, and having substantially radial supporting members adapted to receive the alternate lowermost strips of the pile and transfer them to the positioning means, and in spaced relation to each other, and means for sustaining a pile of match strips and supplying them successively to said element in a plane intersecting the path of travel of the said supporting members.

13. In a match-book machine having spaced-apart match strip cutters, means for positioning match strips adjacent the respective cutting paths, an oscillatory transfer element comprising a member adapted temporarily to sustain a pile of flatwise-disposed match strips, and having substantially radial supporting members adapted to receive the alternate lowermost strips of the pile and transfer them to the positioning means, and in spaced relation to each other, means for discharging" the match strips from each supporting member when it is located at the positioning means, and means for sustainin a pile of: match strips and supplying them successively to said element in a plane interseeting the path of travel of the said supporting members.

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loo

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I sitioning means and in spaced relation to each other, means "for temporarily tilting the respective supporting members to accommodate the form of the match strips thereon, and means for sustaining the pile of match strips and supplying them successively to said element in a plane intersectingthe path of travel of the said supporting members.

15. In a match-bookmachine having spacedapart match strip cutter-s, means for positioning match strips adjacent the re spcctive cutting paths, an oscillatory transfer element comprising a member adapted temporarily to sustain a pile of fiatwisedisposed match strips, and having substantially radial members tiltably mounted thereon and adapted to receive the alternate lowermost strips of the pile and move them,

to the positioning means and in spaced relation to each other, means for temporarily tilting the respective supporting members to accommodate the form of the match strips thereon, means for preventing retrograde movement of the match stri as when they are located at the positioning means, and means for sustaining the pile of match strips and supplying them successlvelv to said element 7 in a )lane intersectins the oath of travel of the said supporting members.

16. In means for feeding match strips, the

combination with a magazine for a pile of flatWise-disposed match strips, of" airoscillatory transfer element movable through a horizontal path directly beneath the magazine to afford a support for the contain u strips, said element having oppositely-acting strip-moving portions which during each reciprocation of said element act in alternation upon the lowermost strips in the magazine and transfer them to positions in which the strips are in spaced endwise relation to" each other.

17. In 'm'eans for feeding match strips, the combination with amagazine for a pile of ilatwise-disposed match strips, 0 t an oscillatory transfer element movable through a horizontal. path directly beneath the magazine to afford a support for the contained strips, said element having oppositely-acting strip-moving portions which during each reciprocation of the said element act in alternation upon the lowermost strips in the magazine and transfer them to positions in which the strips are in spaced endwise relation to each other, and means for preventing retrograde movement of the strips with the oscillating element.

18. In means for feeding match strips, an oscillatory transfer element for moving the strips through a horizontal are, said element comprising a substantially quadrantal member having oppositely-acting substantially radial strip-moving portions adapted to rcceive fiatwise-disposcd match strips in a plane midway between the limits of travel of the said element, and means at such limits for engaging said strips and preventing their retrograde movement with the oscillating element.

19. In means for feeding match strips, an oscillatory transfer element tor moving the strips through a horizontal arc, said element compri a substantially quadrantal memher ha mg oppositely-acting substantially radial strip-moving portions adapted to receive flatwise-disposed match strips in plane midway between the limits of -ravel oi the said element, and means at such limits for engaging said strips and preventing their retrograde movement with the oscillating element, said last-named means including dog devices and means for actuating said dog devices in timed relation. to the travel of the oscillatory element.

20. The combination of an elongated trough structure adapted to support match strips in close lateral relation, a vibratory evening member extending transversely of the structure and operable to pat the tops of the match strips, means for actuating said member, vibratory evening members arranged at the sides ot the structure and 0perable to pat the ends of the match strips, and means for actuating the latter members.

21. The combination of an elongated trough structure adapted to support match strips in close lateral relation, a vibratory evening member, including a strip of yielding material extending transversely of the structure and operable to pat the tops of the n iatch strips, means for actuating said member, vibratory evening members arranged at the sides of the structure and operable to pat the ends of the match strips, and means for actuating the latter members.

22.1 The combination of an elongated trough structure adapted to support match strips in close lateral relation, and a top cvcncr for said strips comprising a pair of pivoted bars at the respective sides of the structure, a cross-piece connecting said bars and overhanging thestructure, a strip of yielding substance on the underside of the said cross-piece, and means "for vibrating said bars.

23. The

combination of an elongated trough structure adapted to support match' strips in close lateral relation, top owner for said strips comprising a pair of plvoted bars at the respective sides of the structure,

a cross-piece connecting said bars and overhanging the structure, a strip of yielding said latter bars. substance on the underside of the said cross- Signed at Barberton, in the county of 10 piece, and means for vibrating said bars, and Summit and State of Ohio, this 15 day of 5 end eveners for the strips comprising elon- December A. D. 1926.

gated bars arranged at the sides of the structure and movable toward and from the in- JOSEPH G. DONNELLY.

terior of the latter, and means for vibrating 

